January 4, 2024

Foam egg carton ban in New Jersey, US, unlikely to disrupt egg production

In an upcoming move to ban foam egg cartons in New Jersey, United States, egg production in the state is expected to remain largely unaffected, according to findings from a survey conducted among local producers, Lancaster Farming reported.

The ban, set to come into effect on May 4, 2024, is part of the state's broader prohibition on the use of polystyrene foam for food packaging or serving, which was announced on May 4, 2022.

Peter Furey, executive director of the New Jersey Farm Bureau, revealed that the survey indicated a significant number of farmers in the state were not utilising Styrofoam cartons, alleviating concerns about potential disruptions in egg production.

While the ban on polystyrene foam targets its adverse environmental impacts, such as contributing to litter and microplastics, egg cartons are currently granted an exemption set to expire in 2024.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection emphasised the environmental concerns associated with polystyrene foam, highlighting its tendency to break into smaller pieces and contribute to pollution. Although the material can be recycled, it requires specialized equipment for the process.

Despite the impending ban, New Jersey does not stand out as a major egg producer. The New Jersey Farm Bureau refrained from commenting on the ban's potential implications for companies involved in shipping eggs into the state.

-      Lancaster Farming